Inkless

Chapter 1

I still sit next to Kaleb in math class. Except now he has not one, but six tattoos.

Three of which appear on his right arm, one on his neck, and two located on his left arm, including the first one he had that read "φρόνησις"; which actually turned out to mean "intelligence" in Ancient Greek. That made sense for Kaleb to have, because if he's anything, it's intelligent.

I on the other hand, still have no tattoos. I am what they call 'Inkless'. I have yet to discover myself. All I know is what I see. The person I see in the mirror, that is all I know of who I am. I mean, I can make guesses about myself, but I'll never know for sure until I get my first tattoo.

The bell rings, and everybody begins to leave the classroom. I envy them all, even the teachers. Everybody in the high school has one, except me. I leave the classroom, I begin to head for the cafeteria.

I see Kim wave to me from the table she's at "Over here Christa!" She calls. As she waves I see the tattoo that covers her arm, it's a sleeve of fire. It's supposed to show her strength and power when raging, but yet her calming ambience when she's just barely flickering.

I walk over to the table, "Hey, what's up?" I ask her, setting my backpack on the ground.

She unzips her jacket a small bit to reveal a small tattoo of two dolphin silhouettes on her collarbone. "This," she says, gesturing to the tattoo. "You don't think it's?"

I laugh a little "You and Kaleb?" I snort. She looks at me seriously, I shouldn't be talking, I don't even have a tattoo. "Well, I guess it could be, dolphins are smart, and they're really close. Maybe it is you and Kaleb."

I'm jealous of her, she has the two things I want most in this world, tattoos, and Kaleb. She must see me scowl because she smiles at me reassuringly and says "Don't worry, you'll get your tattoo soon."

I smile at her, "Yes, but not soon enough."